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CommonWealth Beacon

Politics, ideas, and civic life in Massachusetts

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Criminal Justice

Posted inCourts

SJC upholds conviction of officer who used evidence room cash to pay mortgage

Headshot of Jennifer Smith, reporter at CommonWealth Beacon. by Jennifer Smith February 3, 2025February 3, 2025

Against the backdrop of police reportedly availing themselves of forfeited money, the state’s highest court held that criminal penalties were fairly applied in a West Springfield police department case.

Posted inOpinion

Why police officers should get sabbaticals

by Jim Jordan January 26, 2025January 27, 2025

If we take seriously the idea of sabbaticals as a valuable break from the demands of daily work life and a time to recharge before returning, rejuvenated, to that routine, there may be no group for whom the restorative power of a well-planned sabbatical makes more sense that police officers.   

Top 10 Stories of 2024
Posted inMedia

The top ten CommonWealth Beacon stories of 2024

by CommonWealth Staff December 20, 2024January 3, 2025

ALL ROADS lead to home, or perhaps the nearest T station. Housing and transportation are both issues that roiled policymakers on and off Beacon Hill, as state officials sought to navigate crises on both fronts by passing a multibillion housing bond bill and debating ways to fund transportation as the MBTA faces a yawning budget […]

Posted inCourts

SJC tosses warrantless secret video recording

Headshot of Jennifer Smith, reporter at CommonWealth Beacon. by Jennifer Smith December 4, 2024December 4, 2024

Considering the case of a man secretly recorded by an officer’s cell phone without a warrant, the Supreme Judicial Court concluded that because Boston police made an illegal audio recording, the video captured alongside it should also be kept out of evidence under the wiretap statute.

Posted inOpinion

Trump’s mass deportation order would create a disaster for communities – and a crisis of legitimacy for local police  

by Jim Jordan November 23, 2024November 25, 2024

Trump’s promise to deport one million undocumented residents per year will compromise public safety and create a crisis of legitimacy for many municipal police departments in the Commonwealth and across the US.

Posted inPolitics

Attorney General Andrea Campbell gears up for Trump round two

Headshot of Jennifer Smith, reporter at CommonWealth Beacon. by Jennifer Smith November 13, 2024November 13, 2024

ONE WEEK AFTER the 2024 presidential election results, Attorney General Andrea Campbell has a staggering legal to-do list. “I think there are many out there doing the blame game or complaining. We don’t have time for that,” Campbell said on The Codcast. “I told my team to take whatever time they would need to grieve. […]

Posted inOpinion

New State Police head should prioritize higher ed for troopers

by Reed Hillman October 17, 2024October 17, 2024

The reputation of the agency has been tarnished by the failings of some of its members. As you work to build a strong police force and restore public trust., I implore you to prioritize utilizing higher education as a means to help in accomplishing this goal.

Posted inOpinion

Should we impose a moratorium on new prison construction or expansions?

by James Peyser October 15, 2024December 21, 2024

Advocates say a moratorium on prison construction makes sense because the state’s incarceration rate has dropped dramatically and most imprisonment is inherently dehumanizing, and too many criminal offenses are the result of race-based oppression. Opponents say we need updated prison facilities, even with fewer prisoners behind bars.

Posted inCriminal Justice

New State Police chief promises review of training death, mum on staffing changes

by Sam Drysdale // State House News Service October 5, 2024October 5, 2024

Noble said Friday he had not been officially briefed on the investigation into the recruit’s death yet, but that he is aware of the situation and a deeper briefing is shortly forthcoming.

Posted inState Government

Deputy sheriff breaks law, but comes out ahead financially

Headshot of Bruce Mohl, Editor at CommonWealth Beacon. by Bruce Mohl September 26, 2024September 27, 2024

Floyd Teague, a deputy sheriff whose duties included holding public auctions of seized boats, cars, trucks, and homes, got caught illegally steering a modular home to his wife for $20,000. His wife then invested $45,000 in the property and sold it five months later for $309,900, a gain of nearly $245,000.

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